NRC Greenlights Constellation’s $167 Million Digital Modernization Plan for Limerick Clean Energy Center; State-of-the-Art Technology Upgrades Will Enhance Reliability, Diagnostic Capability and Cyber Resilience
NRC Greenlights Constellation’s $167 Million Digital Modernization Plan for Limerick Clean Energy Center; State-of-the-Art Technology Upgrades Will Enhance Reliability, Diagnostic Capability and Cyber Resilience
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license amendment requestregulatory
A license amendment request is a formal application to change the terms, scope, or conditions of an existing government or regulatory license that allows a company to operate, sell a product, or perform certain activities. Investors care because approval can expand or restrict a business’s ability to generate revenue or add costs and delays—think of it like asking a landlord to alter a lease: a yes can unlock new opportunities, a no can limit them or increase risk.
digital modernization projecttechnical
A digital modernization project upgrades a company’s computer systems, software, data tools and online processes so operations run faster, more securely and can scale to serve more customers—like renovating a house to install new wiring, plumbing and insulation. Investors care because these upgrades can lower ongoing costs, enable new products or sales channels and reduce technical risk, while delays or cost overruns can consume cash and disrupt operations.
analog instrumentation and control equipmenttechnical
Analog instrumentation and control equipment are physical devices that monitor and adjust real-world conditions—like temperature, pressure, flow or position—using continuous electrical or mechanical signals rather than digital code. Think of an old-style dial gauge, thermostat or a valve linked to a simple controller. Investors care because these products drive steady service and replacement sales, affect maintenance and upgrade costs, and reveal exposure to regulatory standards and shifts toward newer digital systems that can change demand and capital needs.
digital safety systemtechnical
A digital safety system is a set of software, hardware and procedures designed to prevent, detect and respond to online threats or failures that could harm users, data or operations. Think of it as a combination of security guards, alarms and emergency brakes for a company’s digital operations; it matters to investors because strong systems reduce the risk of costly breaches, downtime, regulatory penalties and damage to reputation, all of which can affect financial performance.
light water reactor sustainability programregulatory
A light water reactor sustainability program is a coordinated set of research, maintenance, regulatory and technical activities aimed at keeping the most common type of commercial nuclear reactor safe, reliable and productive for a longer time. For investors it matters because successful sustainability efforts act like preventive maintenance for a large asset—lowering the risk of costly outages, extending operating life, improving predictability of costs and revenues, and reducing regulatory uncertainty that can affect valuations.
refueling outagestechnical
Refueling outages are planned shutdowns of power-generating units, most often nuclear reactors, during which spent fuel is replaced and inspections, repairs and upgrades are performed. They matter to investors because they temporarily stop a plant’s electricity production and revenue while creating predictable costs and risks; like taking a delivery truck off the road for scheduled maintenance, the timing and length of outages affect short-term earnings, fuel supply and longer-term reliability.
This upgrade is part of the company’s $5.1 billion investment across Pennsylvania to preserve nearly 5,100 existing MWs and add 1,200 more to further stabilize energy prices at a critical time
BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Constellation (CEG: Nasdaq) today announced the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved a License Amendment Request for the Limerick Clean Energy Center’s Digital Modernization Project, a first‑of‑its‑kind upgrade across major control and protection systems that will enhance reliability, diagnostic capability and cyber resilience at one of the nation’s top-rated nuclear facilities. This approval comes at a critical time as Constellation works to preserve and expand nuclear generation in Pennsylvania.
The Digital Modernization Project replaces select analog instrumentation and control equipment with state‑of‑the‑art digital platforms designed to improve equipment monitoring, provide a broader range of automation and support additional operational flexibility with enhanced reliability. These upgrades will help Limerick deliver around‑the‑clock, carbon‑free electricity to power homes, businesses and new data‑driven industries that are creating jobs in the region. This is the first large-scale demonstration of a digital safety system upgrade at an operating U.S. nuclear plant, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program.
“Every dollar we invest to enhance and modernize the nation’s largest nuclear fleet will pay dividends for American families and businesses by creating jobs, keeping costs down, improving reliability and adding much-needed capacity to fuel economic growth,” said Joe Dominguez, President and CEO of Constellation. “With continued support from the Department of Energy, we are investing in our workforce and new state-of-the-art technologies to power the future.”
“This project spotlights how important the ongoing operation of our current nuclear reactor fleet is to our country's energy security,” said Assistant Secretary for Nuclear EnergyTed Garrish. “Upgrading nuclear power plants with advanced digital systems will help ensure that Americans continue to have access to affordable and abundant energy today and in the future.”
The Digital Modernization Project installation will be done in phases and carefully managed to ensure safety and operational continuity. Physical installation of the digital control rooms is planned to occur during upcoming refueling outages. During these scheduled outages, Limerick will welcome thousands of additional skilled craft workers to support the work, providing a boost to the local economy through a surge in spending on lodging, dining and services.
Located along the Schuylkill River in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (about 35 miles northwest of Philadelphia), Limerick’s two nuclear units provide up to 2,317 megawatts of reliable, carbon‑free electricity, enough to power more than 1.7 million homes. The station supports local jobs and economic activity, while contributing to regional clean‑energy goals.
About Constellation
Constellation Energy Corporation (Nasdaq: CEG), a Fortune 200 company headquartered in Baltimore, is the nation’s largest producer of reliable, emissions-free energy and a leading energy supplier to businesses, homes and public sector customers nationwide, including three-fourths of Fortune 100 companies. With annual output that is nearly 90% carbon-free, our hydro, wind and solar facilities paired with the nation’s largest nuclear fleet have the generating capacity to power the equivalent of 16 million homes, providing about 10% of the nation’s clean energy. We are committed to investing in innovative technologies to drive the transition to a reliable, sustainable and secure energy future. Follow Constellation on LinkedIn and X.
